Interim Content
Brewer, James
Biography
Ca. 1809–ca. July 1864. Traveling military and fencing instructor. Born in South Carolina. Moved to Providence, Saratoga Co., New York, by 1830. Moved to Broadalbin, Fulton Co., New York, by 1840. Member of Montgomery Masonic Lodge, in Fulton Co. Possibly stole identity of Seminole War veteran to promote broadsword instruction; falsely claimed rank of colonel in U.S. Army. Taught sword exercises to JS, Aug. 1842, in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois. Attended installation of Rising Sun Lodge with JS, 6 Aug. 1842, in Montrose, Lee Co., Iowa Territory. Stayed at Nauvoo Mansion, 21 June–4 July 1844. Taught sword training in Warsaw, Hancock Co., July 1844. Moved to Virginia, by 1837; to Greenville, Floyd Co., Indiana, by 1850; and to Callaway Co., Missouri, by 1860. Trained Confederate soldiers in Missouri, ca. 1861. Served as a guerrilla with his son during Civil War. Murdered storekeeper in Rhineland, Montgomery Co., Missouri, 26 May 1863. Captured by Union troops and executed with his son, ca. July 1864, at Poindexter’s Hill, near Rhineland.
Links
papers
- Appendix 3: Willard Richards, Journal Excerpt, 23–27 June 1844
- Appendix 4: William Clayton, Daily Account of Joseph Smith’s Activities, 14–22 June 1844
- Claim from Willard Richards, circa 10 August 1844
- Historian’s Office, Martyrdom Account
- Historian’s Office, Martyrdom Account, Draft
- History Draft [1 January–21 June 1844]
- History Draft [1 July–31 December 1842]
- History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844]
- List of Witnesses, 26 June 1844 [ State of Illinois v. JS and H. Smith for Treason ]
- Minutes, 10 August 1844
- Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 1841–1845
- Nauvoo City Council Rough Minute Book, February 1844–January 1845
- Gender
- Male